CA calls for broker, fraudulence free system to send workers abroad

Citing that Bangladesh is facing a deep and complex crisis in overseas employment due to entrenched broker syndicates, document forgery and systemic failures, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today emphasised the need to build a broker- and fraudulence-free system for sending workers abroad.

"Overseas migration has become dangerously entwined with brokers and fraud. Until we are free from this, there is no reason to believe that meaningful progress has been made," he said.

Highlighting various government initiatives to resolve the deep-rooted migration challenges, the chief adviser said, "Despite sincere efforts by the government, the scale of results we should have achieved has not been reached."

Many initiatives appear impressive on the surface, which are important too, but the government has so far been unable to penetrate the core of the broker-dominated system, he added.

Muhammad Yunus made the remarks while addressing a function at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, marking International Migrants Day and National Expatriates Day 2025. The day is observed on 18 December every year.

Bangladesh sent over 10 lakh workers abroad till 30 November this year

Recalling his experience with Grameen Bank, the chief adviser said he first became aware of broker syndicates when rural women began seeking loans to send their children abroad.

"The entire world is broker-controlled. It is nearly impossible to understand who took money from whom and for what reason. The government remains far away from this system," he said.

In this connection, he said the situation must be changed at any cost to move the country forward by ensuring sustainable remittance earnings.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul spoke at the event as a special guest, while Senior Secretary to the ministry Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan delivered the welcome address.

At the function, a total of 86 Bangladeshi expatriates were honoured as commercially important persons (CIPs) under three categories. Of them, one was recognised for direct investment in Bangladesh's industries, 75 for sending the highest amount of remittances through legal channels and 10 for importing Bangladeshi products to different countries around the world.

Among the CIPs, Kallal Ahmed, Md Abdul Karim and Md Mahmudur Rahman Khan received crests under the three categories respectively from the chief adviser.

Muhammad Yunus also distributed cheques for insurance benefits, medical assistance, financial aid, compensation and scholarships for meritorious children of expatriate workers.

Raju Ahmed, an expatriate in Croatia, and Shahnara Akter Shanu, a returnee expatriate from Saudi Arabia, shared their experiences at the event.

At the outset of the programme, a documentary was screened highlighting the role of expatriate Bangladeshis in the July 2024 Uprising and their contribution to boosting the country's economy. The documentary also showcased the government's efforts to ensure their welfare.